Friend 2 Friend Social Learning Society (F2FSLS) would like to provide our Integrated Play Groups programs to 3-5 children with autism (or related social-communication needs) and 9-15 peers in schools or other community settings completely free of charge.
Friend 2 Friend Integrated Play Groups program is a 14- week play based intervention program where F2F Master Guides design, set-up and run an individualized IPG for one child on the autism spectrum and 2-3 typically developing peers in schools and other community settings. As part of our program we also offer to prepare/supervise one school based professional in the F2F-IPG program so that they may continue to run the IPG once F2F has completed our 14 week program.
Autism is a complex spectrum of disorders with hallmark including a lack of varied and imaginative or imitative plays, impairments in reciprocal social interactions, communication and imagination (American Psychiatric Association, 2000). Individuals on the autism spectrum process social, communication, sensory and play information differently than do their typically developing peers. Despite the inherent differences in these areas there is evidence to suggest that individuals with autism share many of the same desires and capacities for peer relationships, companionship and acceptance as their typically-developing peers (Boucher & Wolfberg, 2003; Jordan, 2003). However, what is different is the manner in which they express these desires. The sometimes unconventional social, play and communication styles of individuals on the autism spectrum often lead to misinterpretation on the part of their peer group, depriving them of meaningful social interactions and peer relationships throughout their lives.
The Friend 2 Friend (McCracken, H) and Integrated Play Groups (Wolfberg, P) models were created out of the deep concern for the many children who are missing out on peer play and friendships as a vital part of their childhood experiences.
Friend 2 Friend Social Learning Society was founded for the sole purpose to implement the F2F and IPG models through the F2F Autism Demystification and F2F-IPG programs. We believe that every child should have the opportunity to play and make friends, so we offer the F2F and F2F-IPG programs to families, schools and our community completely free of charge whenever possible.
Friend 2 Friend would like to thank you for supporting this effort to provide programs and services to children on the autism spectrum completely free of charge.
For more information about Friend 2 Friend please visit our website at www.friend2friendsociety.org or email us at friend2friend@shaw.ca